Single-cell Quantitation of mRNA and Surface Protein Expression in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-infected CD4+ T Cells Isolated from Rhesus macaques

Summary

Described is a methodology to quantitate the expression of 96 genes and 18 surface proteins by single cells ex vivo, allowing for the identification of differentially expressed genes and proteins in virus-infected cells relative to uninfected cells. We apply the approach to study SIV-infected CD4⁺ T cells isolated from rhesus macaques.

Abstract

Single-cell analysis is an important tool for dissecting heterogeneous populations of cells. The identification and isolation of rare cells can be difficult. To overcome this challenge, a methodology combining indexed flow cytometry and high-throughput multiplexed quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was developed. The objective was to identify and characterize simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected cells present within rhesus macaques. Through quantitation of surface protein by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and mRNA by qPCR, virus-infected cells are identified by viral gene expression, which is combined with host gene and protein measurements to create a multidimensional profile. We term the approach, targeted Single-Cell Proteo-transcriptional Evaluation, or tSCEPTRE. To perform the method, viable cells are stained with fluorescent antibodies specific for surface markers used for FACS isolation of a cell subset and/or downstream phenotypic analysis. Single cells are sorted followed by immediate lysis, multiplex reverse transcription (RT), PCR pre-amplification, and high throughput qPCR of up to 96 transcripts. FACS measurements are recorded at the time of sorting and subsequently linked to the gene expression data by well position to create a combined protein and transcriptional profile. To study SIV-infected cells directly ex vivo, cells were identified by qPCR detection of multiple viral RNA species. The combination of viral transcripts and the quantity of each provide a framework for classifying cells into distinct stages of the viral life cycle (e.g., productive versus non-productive). Moreover, tSCEPTRE of SIV⁺ cells were compared to uninfected cells isolated from the same specimen to assess differentially expressed host genes and proteins. The analysis revealed previously unappreciated viral RNA expression heterogeneity among infected cells as well as in vivo SIV-mediated post-transcriptional gene regulation with single-cell resolution. The tSCEPTRE method is relevant for the analysis of any cell population amenable to identification by expression of surface protein marker(s), host or pathogen gene(s), or combinations thereof.

Introduction

Many intracellular pathogens rely on host cell machinery to replicate, often altering host cell biology or targeting very specific subpopulations of host cells to maximize their chances of propagation. As a result, cell biological processes are commonly disrupted, with deleterious consequences for the overall health of the host. Understanding the interactions between viruses and the host cells in which they replicate will elucidate disease mechanisms that may aid in the development of improved therapies and strategies to prevent infection. Direct analytic tools that enable the study of host-pathogen interactions are essential toward this end. Single-cell analysis prov....

Protocol

NOTE: A schematic of the protocol workflow is shown in Figure 1. It consists of three principal steps: FACS, RT and cDNA pre-amplification, and qPCR for up to 96 genes simultaneously. Two versions of the protocol, sorting cells in limiting dilutions and sorting single cells, are described in greater detail in step 5 and step 6, respectively. These strategies address different research questions but follow similar procedures.

1. Prerequisite or Prior Analyses

1. Validate all gene expression assays to be used as previously described⁶.
   NOTE: This step is done well in advance....

Results

The workflow for the entire protocol is depicted in Figure 1. It consists of two variations defined by the number of cells sorted: either limiting dilution or as single cells, as described in the text. Examples of primer-probe qualification analyses on 2-fold serial RNA dilutions are shown in Figure 2. The gating strategy to identify potential SIV⁺ cells is shown in Figure 3. A successful,.......

Discussion

The protocol described here, termed tSCEPTRE, integrates single-cell surface protein quantitation by multiparameter flow cytometry with quantitative single-cell mRNA expression by highly multiplexed RT-qPCR. The union of these two technologies enables high-content snapshots of the combined transcriptional and protein profile of single cells in a high-throughput format. We use the method to identify heretofore elusive cells infected with SIV in vivo, and describe differentially expressed host genes and proteins. .......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
RNA extraction and PCR reagents and consumables
Genemate 96-Well Semi-Skirted PCR Plate	BioExpress/VWR	T-3060-1
Adhesive PCR Plate Seals	ThermoFisher	AB0558
Armadillo 384-well PCR Plate	ThermoFisher	AB2384
MicroAmp Optical Adhesive Film	Applied Biosystems/ThermoFisher	4311971
DEPC Water	Quality Biological	351-068-101
Glass Distilled Water	Teknova	W3345
Superscript III Platinum One-Step qRT-PCR Kit	Invitrogen/ThermoFisher	11732088
SUPERase-In Rnase Inhibitor	Invitrogen/ThermoFisher	AM2696
Platinum Taq	Invitrogen/ThermoFisher	10966034
dNTP Mix	Invitrogen/ThermoFisher	18427088
ROX Reference Dye (if separate from kit)	Invitrogen/ThermoFisher	12223012
DNA Suspension Buffer	Teknova	T0223
RNAqueous kit	Invitrogen/ThermoFisher	AM1931
TaqMan gene expression assays not listed in Table 2
CD6	Applied Biosystems/ThermoFisher	Hs00198752_m1
TLR3	Applied Biosystems/ThermoFisher	Hs1551078_m1
Biomark reagents
Control Line Fluid Kit	Fluidigm	89000021
TaqMan Universal PCR Mix	Applied Biosystems/ThermoFisher	4304437
Assay Loading Reagent	Fluidigm	85000736
Sample Loading Reagent	Fluidigm	85000735
Dynamic Array 96.96 (chip)	Fluidigm	BMK-M-96.96
FACS reagents
SPHERO COMPtrol Goat anti-mouse (lambda)	Spherotech Inc.	CMIgP-30-5H
CompBeads Anti-Mouse Ig,k	BD Biosciences	51-90-9001229
5 ml Polystyrene tube with strainer cap	FALCON	352235
Aqua Live/Dead stain	Invitrogen/ThermoFisher	L34976	dilute 1:800
Mouse Anti-Human CD3 BV650 clone SP34-2	BD Biosciences	563916	dilute 1:40
Mouse Anti-Human CD4 BV786 clone L200	BD Biosciences	563914	dilute 1:20
Mouse Anti-Human CD8 BUV496 clone RPA-T8	BD Biosciences	564804	dilute 1:10
Mouse Anti-Human CD28 BV711 clone CD28.2	Biolegend	302948	dilute 1:20
Mouse Anti-Human CD95 BUV737 clone DX2	BD Biosciences	564710	dilute 1:10
Mouse Anti-Human CD14 BV510 clone M5E2	Biolegend	301842	dilute 1:83
Mouse Anti-Human CD16 BV510 clone 3G8	Biolegend	302048	dilute 1:167
Mouse Anti-Human CD20 BV510 clone 2H7	Biolegend	302340	dilute 1:37
Anti-CD38-R PE clone OKT10	NHP reagent recource	N/A	dilute 1:100
Mouse Anti-Human CD69 BUV395 clone FN50	BD Biosciences	564364	dilute 1:10
Mouse Anti-Human HLA-DR APC-H7 clone G46-6	BD Biosciences	561358	dilute 1:20
Mouse Anti-Human ICOS Alexa Fluor 700 clone C398.4A	Biolegend	313528	dilute 1:80
Instruments
BioPrptect Containment Enclosure	Baker
BD FACS Aria	BD Biosciences
ProtoFlex Dual 96-well PCR system	Applied Biosystems/ThermoFisher	4484076
Quant Studio 6 qPCR instrument	Applied Biosystems/ThermoFisher	4485694
IFC controller HX	Fluidigm	IFC-HX
Biomark HD	Fluidigm	BMKHD-BMKHD